Criminal Behaviors Related to Animal Cruelty

Animal cruelty may often present substantial public safety implications due to criminal behaviors associcated with animal cruelty.

Animal cruelty is a criminal offense that manifest predominately as threats of violence, violence and may be associated with other criminal behaviors.

Animal cruelty is a form of violence in which the often helpless non-human victims are entirely capable of experiencing pain and suffering.

Violence directed towards the companion animals for the purpose of intimidating, threatenting or controlling the behaviors of family member is a form of family violence.

Individuals that engage in violence towards animals may also be a significant risk towards humans. Most typically the “Link” behaviors related to animal cruelty are child abuse and neglect, elder maltreatment (and self harm) , and /or domestic violence. More covertly, animal fighting is a form of criminal behavior (often well organized) which results in brutality towards animals and involves other crimes such as gambling, illegal drugs, illegal weapons, tax evasion, etc. Hoarding is quite prevalent and has in recent years received substantial media attention. Individuals engaged in hoarding typically have significant mental health issues and hoarding investigations are complex and resource intensive for all involved respondents.

Animal cruelty often overlaps with other criminal behaviors that may be less overt yet potentially dangerous for the public or for professionals required to contact individuals on their properties or other premises. Awareness of other forms of criminal behaviors which may be related to animals can improve safety and also provide valuable intelligence information for investigators and first responders.

Individuals that engage in the brutality of animal fighting minimize the pain and suffering of animals often in the presence of children.

About Animal Fighting

Animal fighting is the deliberate fighting of animals is a felony level criminal activity in Colorado per statute 18-9-204.

spectating at animal fighting events is illegal in Colorado

most common forms of animal fighting involve dogs or roosters

animal fighting is also known as “blood sports”

spectators view the “blood sports” as a form of entertainment

events may be well organized and occur in settings that are inconspicuous or hard to detect (rural areas, farms, abandoned buildings, etc)

may be part of a larger criminal enterprise involving gangs, gambling, tax evasion

presence of weapons and illegal drugs (including illegal veterinary medical drugs by owners to treat their animals or performance enhancement)

large sums of cash may trade hands during “blood sport” events through both gambling and prize money

the owners of fighting animals seldom if ever use legitimate veterinary medical care for their animals

helpless animals are used as “bait” for training fighting animals

animals that do not win are are often disposed by inhumane and brutal methods

children and at-risk adults may be endangered by animal fighting activities

children and adolescents are often exposed to animal fighting may become desensitized to the pain and suffering of animals

children may be expected or coerced into participating in animal fighting activities

Some Signs of Animal Fighting Activities

presence of dogs that have cropped ears and tails with scars or recent wounds